Moths of North Carolina
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427 NC Records

Chytonix palliatricula (Guenée, 1852) - Cloaked Marvel Moth


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: ElaphriiniP3 Number: 932249.00 MONA Number: 9556.00
Comments: The genus Chytonix nominally contains some 30+ species from India, China, Japan and the Americas, but most belong in other genera, particularly the Neotropical species. Our fauna is limited to three species of which two occur in North Carolina and all may form a single genus. An apparently undescribed species akin to C. sensilis -- identified with barcoding -- occurs in October and November in central Florida.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina are similar to those from elsewhere in the species range, with very minor barcode heterogeneity present.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Our two species are mottled brown with a distinct small white spot in the anal fold of the forewing. Distinguishing the two species is very difficult but fortunately C. sensilis is on the wing from late August through early October so any Chytonix outside that time period is C. palliatricula. Additionally, C. palliatricula has a form with large white spots on the forewing, C. sensilis can be slightly frosted in the same area but never looks like this form of C. palliatricula. Familiarity with the species allows most individuals to be sorted correctly but to be absolutely sure of the identification requires dissection or barcoding. Sexes similar but females often larger. Both morphological forms relatively common.
Wingspan: 28-33 mm (Forbs, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: In the male the arrowhead-shaped uncus of C. palliatricula is distinct (narrow and slightly curved in C. sensilis). In the female the four longitudinal signa in the bursa of C. palliatricula are absent or barely present in C. sensilis.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The caterpillar is gray or brown and distinguished by the fact that the antennae are white and there are two black lines across the small head.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs statewide, from the Barrier Islands to the High Mountains
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: They are on the wing from April through September but are uncommon from August onward. The life history of this species would be an excellent study. There must be three or more broods and it would be interesting to see if the adult emergence is influenced by rains that occur after dry periods and elicit the emergence to so many woodland fungi.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species has been recorded in nearly every habitat type in the state, from maritime scrub and forests on the barrier islands; peatlands, Longleaf Pine habitats, and swamp forests in the Outer Coastal Plain; dry to xeric sandhills in the Fall-line Sandhills; and both mesic to dry slopes and ridges in the Piedmont and Mountains. Habitats range from open, herb-dominated sites to closed canopy forests.
Larval Host Plants: Interestingly, no caterpillars of this common species have been located in the wild though they should be easy to find. Captive females will readily lay eggs and the hatching larvae can be reared on common grocery store mushrooms. Reportedly, smuts are also favored and the caterpillar develops very fast as one would expect if they favor newly emerged gilled fungi. - View
Observation Methods: Adults come well to lights but only rarely (1 observation in NC) to bait
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Mixed Habitats
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S5
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: The statewide distribution, wide range of habitats, and high frequency and abundance of its occurrence indicates that this species is one of the most secure species in North Carolina

 Photo Gallery for Chytonix palliatricula - Cloaked Marvel Moth

100 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-04-16
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-18
Caswell Co.
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Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2023-08-18
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-30
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2023-07-26
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-06-21
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka and Chuck Smith on 2023-05-11
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-20
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-15
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-07-06
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-04
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-05-04
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2022-04-27
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-04-23
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2021-08-21
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2021-08-10
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2021-08-09
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-06-17
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-06-15
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-06-03
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-06-01
Yancey Co.
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Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-05-27
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-21
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2021-05-17
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-16
Madison Co.
Comment: